The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

In the Hand of Dante with Julian Schnabel and Benny Safdie (Ep. 616)

Director Julian Schnabel discuss his new film, In the Hand of Dante, with fellow Director Benny Safdie in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses his spontaneous approach to his directing style, casting Actors in double roles between the film’s two time periods, and his choice to shoot the two settings in a mixture of black and white and color film.
Based on the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches, the film tells the story of a 21st Century scholar, on the run after stealing a rumored original manuscript of The Divine Comedy from a mafia don. Meanwhile, in the 14th Century, Dante himself navigates political exile and undergoes a spiritual awakening while trying to write his masterpiece.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/august2026/inthehandofdante_qna_0626

Mortal Kombat II with Simon McQuoid and David Sandberg (Ep. 615)

Director Simon McQuoid discuss his new film, Mortal Kombat II, with fellow Director David Sandberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he worked with the stunt team to make the action scenes advance the story, his preference for practical sets and effects where he could use them, and referencing the video game to fill in little details in the lore across the film.
The sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat follows Johnny Cage, a martial arts actor who is recruited to join a group of fighters in an interdimensional tournament. Fighting against supernatural foes and alien warriors alike, he moves up in the ranks, aiming to stop a tyrannical emperor who threatens the very existence of Earth.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/july2026/mortalkombatii_qna_0526

The Sheep Detectives with Kyle Balda and Jonathan Goldstein (Ep. 614)

Director Kyle Balda discuss his new film, The Sheep Detectives, with fellow Director Jonathan Goldstein in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses making the jump from animation directing to live-action directing for the first time, carefully balancing the tone with humor while handling themes of grief, and studying the movement of real sheep to recreate body language that could be used in the visual effects.
The film tells the story of a shepherd named George, whose only friends are the sheep to which each night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending that they can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep suspect murder, and attempt to guide a bumbling policeman into solving the crime.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/july2026/sheepdetectives_qna_0526

Give Me The Ball! with Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 613)

Directors Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff discuss their new film, Give Me The Ball!, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss collaborating with Billie Jean King to open up about some of the more intimate and uncomfortable moments of her life, reflecting on Billie Jean’s impact through her 1970s archival materials compared to her modern day interview, and working as a co-directing pair for the first time.
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film takes a look at world champion tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King and her game-changing impact on culture and sports. Rare archive footage and candid interviews reveal how one woman put changing the world ahead of saving herself.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/docseries_givemetheball-0526

My Mom Jayne with Mariska Hargitay, Trish Adlesic and Lisa Cortés (Ep. 612)

Director Mariska Hargitay and Producer Trish Adlesic discuss their new film, My Mom Jayne, with fellow Director Lisa Cortés in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, they discuss how Mariska knew she was ready to take on the film, working with 18,000 photos and 2,500 videos worth of archival materials, and how Mariska came to learn more of the mother who was gone too soon.
The film navigates Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield’s public and private legacy through interviews, and a collection of never-before-seen photos and home movies as Hargitay sought to know, understand and embrace her mother for the first time.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/docseries_mymomjayne-0426

Project Hail Mary with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Guillermo del Toro (Ep. 611)

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller discuss their new film, Project Hail Mary, with fellow Director Guillermo del Toro in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss finding depth in their characters by trying to see the good intentions is everyone including antagonists, the casting and puppeteering processes that helped realize the alien character of Rocky, and bringing their philosophy of trying to make encouraging films to this feature.
The film tells the story of scientist Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship as part of a desperate mission to stop the Earth’s sun from dying. On his own and millions of miles from home, he has a chance meeting with an alien on the same mission, forming a friendship that may prove to be the key to success.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/projecthailmary_qna_0426

Shame and Money with Visar Morina and Valerie Weiss (Ep. 610)

Director Visar Morina discusses his new film, Shame and Money, with fellow Director Valerie Weiss in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he experiments with scenes and leaves time for discovering natural moments on set, some of his filmic influences that contributed to specific scenes, and his strategic use of staging and tension in the film.
Screened as part of the DGA’s Global Cinema Series, the film tells the story of Shaban, a proud family man struggling to provide as financial pressures mount. Embarrassed about accepting the support of his family, he faces tough choices about pride versus survival.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/gcs-shameandmoney_0426

Mother Mary with David Lowery and Antonio Campos (Ep. 609)

Director David Lowery discusses his new film, Mother Mary, with fellow Director Antonio Campos in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses how the project was born from a desire to shoot a one-room film, the choreography behind the seance scene, and his influences in costume and production design that set the groundwork for the film.
The film tells the story of iconic pop star Mother Mary as she reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam. In need of a dress for her new tour, Mary asks Sam to help her, causing long-buried wounds, past traumas and specters to return to the spotlight.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/may2026/mothermary_qna_0426

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett and Jorma Taccone (Ep. 608)

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett discuss their new film, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, with fellow Director Jorma Taccone in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss casting Actor Kathryn Newton alongside Samara Weaving, how they film a lot of coverage in the kill sequences for story options in the edit, and their intentional methods of directing that allow them to strike a balance between comedy and horror in the final product.
This sequel to the 2019 feature Ready or Not finds Grace, the lone survivor of the first film, discovering that she’s trapped in the next level of the nightmarish game - this time with her sister along for the ride.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/may2026/readyornot2_qna_0326

The Bride! with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Greta Gerwig (Ep. 607)

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal discusses her new film, The Bride!, with fellow Director Greta Gerwig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses the influence of 1930s cinema on the film’s themes, using dance sequences as a medium for her characters to express complicated emotions, and working with her Costume Designer to create striking looks for the cast.
Set in an alternate 1930’s Chicago, the film follows Ida, a murdered woman brought back to life to be the monster Frankenstein’s companion. Ida’s second chance sparks a whirlwind of romance, police interest, and radical social change.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/may2026/thebride_qna_0326

Steal This Story, Please! with Carl Deal, Tia Lessin, Amy Goodman and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 606)

Directors Carl Deal, Tia Lessin and the film’s subject, Amy Goodman discuss their new film, Steal This Story, Please!, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, the filmmakers discuss the structure of the film as a way to get to know Amy before her work, how the filmmakers originally met Amy, and the relevance of Democracy Now! in a modern corporate news landscape.
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows Goodman as she becomes a leader in the movement for independent media. Set against some of the most consequential stories of our time, Goodman works to amplify voices excluded from the mainstream and faces off against forces trying to silence her.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/docseries_stealthisstoryplease-0326

Scream 7 with Kevin Williamson and Paul Feig (Ep. 605)

Director Kevin Williamson discusses his new film, Scream 7, with fellow Director Paul Feig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the original concept of Scream came to be, how he balanced horror and comedy to establish the tone, and the importance and careful use of score needed to maintain the film’s tension.
In the newest installment of the Scream franchise, original victim Sidney Prescott hopes to reinvent her life in a different town. But when a new killer emerges, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes his prized target.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/scream7_qna_0326

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man with Tom Harper and Mary Harron (Ep. 604)

Director Tom Harper discusses his new film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, with fellow Director Mary Harron in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses working with Actor Cillian Murphy, how making a Peaky Blinders film differed from an episode of the series, and working closely with his composer to find a soundtrack befitting the tone.
A sequel to the award-winning television series Peaky Blinders, the film follows Tommy Shelby as he returns from exile to a post-World War II Birmingham. With unsettled business and his future at stake, he must face his demons and choose whether to confront his legacy or burn it to the ground.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/peakyblinders_qna_0326

How to Make a Killing with John Patton Ford and Kobi Libii (Ep. 603)

Director John Patton Ford discusses his new film, How to Make a Killing, with fellow Director Kobi Libii in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses inspirations and early iterations of the film, managing the tone as over-the-top events happening in a grounded and believable world, and the importance of sound design to the construction of the film.
Loosely inspired by the 1949 feature Kind Hearts and Coronets, the film tells the story of Becket Redfellow, a blue collar worker disowned by his wealthy relatives. Determined to reclaim his inheritance, he launches a campaign of manipulation, betrayal and calculated violence to eliminate everyone standing between him and the fortune.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/how2makeakilling_qna_0226

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die with Gore Verbinski and Sacha Gervasi (Ep. 602)

Director Gore Verbinski discusses his new film, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, with fellow Director Sacha Gervasi in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he wanted to approach the story with a modern take on AI, how Actor Sam Rockwell’s costume was made from scrap technology found in surplus stores, and finding a delicate balance for the film's tone in between apocalyptic, comedic and irreverent.
The film follows a man, allegedly from the future, who arrives at a Los Angeles diner and takes the patrons hostage. Claiming they are the precise combination of strangers he needs, he convinces them to join a quest to save the world from a rogue artificial intelligence.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/goodluckhavefundontdie_qna_0226

Wuthering Heights with Emerald Fennell and J.J. Abrams (Ep. 601)

Director Emerald Fennell discusses her new film, Wuthering Heights, with fellow Director J.J. Abrams in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses her approach to adapting the original text, working with her Production Design team to create surreal landscapes and environments reminiscent of human features, and collaborating with musical artist Charli XCX to create a soundtrack for the film.
Based on the novel by Emily Brontë, the film follows the impoverished Heathcliffe and the wealthy Catherine, two young lovers hailing from different social classes. After Catherine marries someone else and Heathcliffe disappears in despair, years pass and he returns with mysterious wealth and nefarious intentions.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/wutheringheights_qna_0226

Meet the 2026 Nominees for Theatrical Feature Film - Part 2 of 2 (Ep. 600)

Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme) and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 35th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2026/March2026/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2026

Meet the 2026 Nominees for Theatrical Feature Film - Part 1 of 2 (Ep. 599)

Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme) and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 35th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2026/March2026/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2026

The Housemaid with Paul Feig and Lesli Linka Glatter (Ep. 598)

Director Paul Feig discusses his new film, The Housemaid, with fellow Director Lesli Linka Glatter in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the intentional casting of Actors Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney opposite one another, finding the house that served as the main location and how its architecture led to the discovery of scenes, and balancing the film’s tone between comedy and drama to give breathing room for heavier aspects of the film.
The film tells the story of Millie, who accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple as a way of trying to put her troubled past behind her. But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/february2026/housemaid_qna_1225

Is This Thing On? with Bradley Cooper and Bennett Miller (Ep. 597)

Director Bradley Cooper discusses his new film, Is This Thing On?, with fellow Director Bennett Miller in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses the true story circumstances that inspired the film, how he envisioned and cast Will Arnett and Laura Dern in the leading roles, and utilizing his cinematography to emphasize the vulnerability of performing stand up comedy.
The film tells the story of Alex, a middle aged man facing a divorce, who finds new purpose in the New York comedy scene. As he pursues comedy, his wife, Tess, confronts the sacrifices made for their family, forcing them both to navigate co-parenting and their changing identities.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2026/february2026/isthisthingon_qna_1225